Mr. Kishimba Mujinga Sebastien is the longest-serving ranger at the Upemba National Park. He heeded the call in 1982 after dropping out of school to take care of his family. He is the first son to Kishimba Nyombo Albert who also served at the UNP until his death in 2000. “He is a living library for this place” commented some of his colleagues on a night under the moon in the Lusinga camp. Zebra had a seat with Mr. Mujinga, also referred to as “Chef de Terre” who has seen Upemba through different seasons in his 41 years of service.
At the dawn of his retirement, we would like to revisit the interview.
Zebra: Let’s start from the beginning. How did you find yourself here at Upemba?
Sebastien: I did not arrive here; I was born here. I was born at the post of Kaloi on Wednesday, March 19, 1960, at 9 am. I spent my childhood here in the park except for the times I had to go to school in Kasungeshi, Sampwe and Kilwa. I did my primary education and part of secondary in Kasungeshi before heading to Sampwe, after what I came back.
Zebra: What did you specifically study?
Sebastien: I did pedagogy, so I am a teacher by training.
Zebra: Were you ever tempted to pursue a career in education?
Sebastien: Not at all. I have never been tempted to because I felt called to protect our heritage, this park. It was a vocation that I accepted and here we are. Being the first born, my father wished for me to follow in his footsteps. He often told me that even after getting an education, I had to return and succeed him at the park. I am his legacy to the Upemba National Park as much as the park is my inheritance.
Zebra: So, understanding what you mean, after your studies, you came back and joined the rangers?
Sebastien: I didn't complete my studies. My father was sick, I was recalled to the park. Thank God, he survived and died later in 2000. I worked with him, we went on patrols. He trained us, and I believe he was the best this park has ever had.
Zebra: When you became a ranger, back in 1982, how was Upemba then?
Sebastien: Upemba was incredible back then. There were many animals, and management was done properly. There were no partners, and the state took care of everything. I recall special taxes were collected to help pay our salaries, and the rest of the funds was sent to the Direction General in Kinshasa. National parks were managed under the watchful eyes of the Presidency through ICCN which helped the smooth running of operations.
Zebra: For you, what have been some of the important moments here at the park?
Sebastien: Personally, I had been a good patrolman. On my evaluations I only received the mention “elite” or “very good” thanks to the training and experience with my father. I excelled until they assigned me to be the bodyguard of the conservator, a role I held for six years. Then I was selected to train with the national army, the Zairian Armed Forces, in Mitwaba and we did that for two months. I was also part of several operations with the national armed forces when there were too many Mai-Mai groups in the southern sector of the park. All those moments made me a better ranger.
Zebra: What’s your biggest wish for the park?
Sebastien: Things have been improving and I hope we will go even further.
The support from our partners makes us hopeful, and we can see changes happening progressively. I am looking forward to seeing competence being rewarded, which had not been the case for a few years. The new Director and Site Manager have made us believe in that possibility and I am patient to see how far we go.
Zebra: What’s your message to rangers from around the world?
Sebastien: I would like them to take heart and believe in our noble mission. I believe because for Upemba the old narrative is not the same as the new one. The present reality is better because things must change, and they are changing. There is work being done here and change is unfolding slowly but surely.
Images: Antonio Longangi - Communication UNP
Zebra concept by Communication Department
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